Hollywood adds disc insurance

Chain starts Movie Gallery program; fees donated to charity to start

By Cindy Spielvogel -- Video Business, 7/31/2006

JULY 31 | Hollywood Video stores in August will join their sister Movie Gallery outlets in offering Play Guard, an optional insurance program to absolve renters of liability for damaged discs.

Renters in Hollywood’s more than 2,000 stores will be asked if they want to pay an extra 25¢ to qualify them for a waiver if the movie or game they rent becomes accidentally damaged. The program is similar to a car rental company offering optional insurance at the counter.

All insurance fees collected from Hollywood stores in August will go to the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, which Hollywood supports corporately. The foundation operates Starlight sites featuring movies and games for young patients at hospitals in Portland, Los Angeles and Houston.

In-store signage will explain the insurance program.

Movie Gallery-branded stores have been offering Play Guard for several years. Movie Gallery operates more than 4,800 stores, including Hollywood.

Blockbuster does not have a similar program.